Bulgaria Evacuates Citizens from Iran and Israel Amidst Rising Conflict

Bulgaria is actively working to ensure the safety of its citizens in the Middle East, as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Bulgarians to refrain from travel to the region and is facilitating evacuations from both Iran and Israel.

Embassy Closure and Diplomatic Shift

In response to the intensifying conflict, Bulgaria has closed its embassy in Tehran and relocated its diplomatic staff and their families to Baku, Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated that the embassy is not being permanently closed, but rather temporarily moved “until the danger passes.” Reuters

Evacuation Efforts

Bulgaria successfully evacuated 89 of its citizens from Israel, along with 59 nationals from Slovenia, the U.S., Belgium, Albania, Kosovo, and Romania. The group was transported by bus to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and then flown to Sofia. The government encouraged all Bulgarians wishing to leave Israel to join the convoy. The Independent

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov noted that alternative evacuation routes, such as through Turkey, were considered, but ultimately Azerbaijan was chosen as the preferred transit point. The Independent

Regional Evacuations

Bulgaria is not alone in evacuating its citizens. Numerous countries are undertaking similar efforts to bring their nationals out of Israel and Iran by air, land, and sea, as airspace across the Middle East has been significantly disrupted. The Independent

China’s Evacuation Efforts

China has also been actively involved in evacuating its citizens, having already brought over 1,600 nationals home from Iran and “several hundred others” from Israel. Beijing has pledged to continue assisting in the safe transfer of its citizens. The Independent

Ongoing Risks

The situation remains volatile, with ongoing attacks and reprisals between Iran and Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor the situation closely and provide guidance to Bulgarian citizens in the region. Novinite